500 Basildon tractor factory workers pause strike action as new pay offer is debated

Workers at an enormous tractor factory in Essex has paused potential strike action for this month due to a new pay offer being presented. Around 500 workers at the CNH Industrial factory in Basildon were due to strike on six separate days later in June.

United, the union representing the workers previously said the workers are angry that the company has allegedly reneged on an agreement struck in 2022, stating pay increases would be calculated by the average rate of inflation over the year. Unite said CNH is instead offering four per cent for 2024, rather than the 7.4 per cent it should be under the original agreement.

For 2025, the company is offering the rate of inflation as of December 2024, the union said. CNH Group reported record profits of £2.4 billion in 2023, and profits are forecast to stay high for the next three years. CEO Scott Wine received a total compensation package of £19 million in 2022, which was 310 times the pay of the average worker at CNH Group, Unite added.

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However, yesterday (June 13), Unite said the industrial action had been temporarily suspended. A spokesman said: "Strikes by more than 500 workers employed at CNH Industrial’s Basildon tractor factory have been suspended to allow workers to ballot on a new pay offer.

"Industrial action scheduled for 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 June will not take place. If the offer is rejected by the membership, fresh strike action will be announced."

Unite regional officer Michelle Cook said: “As a sign of good faith, Unite has suspended strike action at CNH to allow workers to vote on the new offer. If rejected, industrial action will resume until an acceptable offer is put forward.”